The Bottom Line: Wealth redistribution threatens true justice
Dan Clements
Issue date: 3/24/09 Section: Opinion
President Obama's new economic plan contains increased tax rates for upper-income individuals and increased benefits for middle- and lower-income earners. We have had a system for decades that offers services available only to the lower class while the upper class picked up the tab. This trend was slightly reversed over the last 20 years, but the President appears to be putting us back on this path. It is, all but in name, the redistribution of wealth.
Many proponents of spreading the wealth around have good intentions. The idea of more or total economic equality seems appealing to a cross-section of our population. However, such notions are in complete conflict with the ideas of equality before the law (which is the basis of liberty) and have real economic consequences for our society. They threaten the freedom our forefathers bought for us in their sacrifices and hold the potential to decimate our market system that has been the engine of our affluence. Proponents constantly crusade in favor of abstract notions of "social justice" or "economic justice." But what is true justice?
Justice in the Western world grew out of conflicts between competing groups. Groups that were in power sought to maintain their power and advance themselves at the expense of everyone else in society. As opposing groups exerted their own power and independence, they demanded equal treatment. Hence, universal codes were written that applied to everybody regardless of where they were assigned in society. In twelfth-century England, King Henry II tried to consolidate absolute rule in England by weakening any obstacles to his power. The nobles revolted and when King John (Henry II's son) was defeated, he was forced to sign the Magna Carta, which guaranteed a few basic freedoms and privileges. This was the first time the absolute power of a monarch was officially restricted, and it led to the adoption of similar documents that guaranteed universal freedoms. The rule of law was established to protect people from the domination by their fellow man and to restrict competing interests from plundering one another. The execution of justice ensured everybody's life and private property were secured. Thus, the English tradition of liberty was born and laid the foundations for our Constitution.
Many proponents of spreading the wealth around have good intentions. The idea of more or total economic equality seems appealing to a cross-section of our population. However, such notions are in complete conflict with the ideas of equality before the law (which is the basis of liberty) and have real economic consequences for our society. They threaten the freedom our forefathers bought for us in their sacrifices and hold the potential to decimate our market system that has been the engine of our affluence. Proponents constantly crusade in favor of abstract notions of "social justice" or "economic justice." But what is true justice?
Justice in the Western world grew out of conflicts between competing groups. Groups that were in power sought to maintain their power and advance themselves at the expense of everyone else in society. As opposing groups exerted their own power and independence, they demanded equal treatment. Hence, universal codes were written that applied to everybody regardless of where they were assigned in society. In twelfth-century England, King Henry II tried to consolidate absolute rule in England by weakening any obstacles to his power. The nobles revolted and when King John (Henry II's son) was defeated, he was forced to sign the Magna Carta, which guaranteed a few basic freedoms and privileges. This was the first time the absolute power of a monarch was officially restricted, and it led to the adoption of similar documents that guaranteed universal freedoms. The rule of law was established to protect people from the domination by their fellow man and to restrict competing interests from plundering one another. The execution of justice ensured everybody's life and private property were secured. Thus, the English tradition of liberty was born and laid the foundations for our Constitution.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
rick
posted 3/24/09 @ 9:39 PM EST
"This trend was slightly reversed during the last twenty years"...that's the understatement of the year. The disparity in wealth is greater now than it has been since the 1920s. (Continued…)
Ralph
posted 3/25/09 @ 10:44 AM EST
Dan you are 100% correct in your analysis. Rick I am sick and tired of hearing how wealth has been transferred to only a few and therefore Lord Barack should make it his duty to return it to its rightful owners. (Continued…)
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